Admission

"To be considered for interview in early December, the deadline for applications to reach CUHK is 9 November 2020. Shortlisted applicants will be informed by email in due course."

Application Requirements

An applicant can apply for PhD study even if he/she does not hold a research master's degree. The normative period of study for articulated MPhil-PhD study is 4 years. Subject to satisfactory academic performance and research progress, postgraduate studentships will be provided to students throughout their normative period. However, holders of a research master's degree from a Hong Kong UGC funded institution may only be eligible for 3 years' funding and their normative period is thus reduced to 3 years. An applicant can also apply for MPhil study. The normative period is 2 years.

Applicants for the MPhil Stream should:

1. have graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor degree in Applied Mathematics / Computer / Electrical / Electronic Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering / Physical Sciences or related fields, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; OR
2. have graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor degree in Applied Mathematics / Computer / Electrical / Electronic Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering / Physical Sciences or related fields, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than 'B' in undergraduate courses

Applicants for the PhD Stream should:

1. have a research Master's degree from a recognized university in Applied Mathematics / Computer / Electrical / Electronic Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering / Physical Sciences, or related fields; OR
2. have a Bachelor degree, normally with Second Class Honours in the upper division or above; OR
3. have been registered as a Ph.D. student at a recognized university for at least one year, and have been approved for application by the affiliated Graduate School.

Notes on English Language Proficiency:

All students should fulfil the English Language Proficiency Requirement prescribed by Graduate School before they are admitted.

(Reference: https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/requirements)

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

• Established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009.
• Aims to attract the best students from around the world to pursue PhD studies in Hong Kong.
• Provides a monthly stipend of HK$26,600 (approx. US$3,410) and a conference travel allowance of HK$13,300 (approx. US$1,700) per year during the normative study period for up to three years.

The CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship

• Offers HKPFS awardees a tuition fee waiver for their whole normative study period.
• Provides an award of HK$40,000 (approx. US$5,130) for lodging in the first year of study and HK$20,000 in the subsequent years within the normative study period. (Applicable from the 2021-22 intake.)
• The on-campus hostel fee will be waived in the first year of study.
• Guaranteed on-campus accommodation during the normative period of study to HKPFS awardees who submit timely applications.
• For HKPFS awardees with a normative study period of four years, CUHK provides stipend and conference travel allowance at HKPFS level for the fourth year.

Candidates who consider themselves outstanding and are interested in CUHK electronic engineering research are encouraged to apply for the EE PhD programme and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) jointly. Please visit https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/scholarships-fees/hkpfs for more details.

Application Deadline

For MPhil applicants: 1 December 2020 (Late application will be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability of new positions offered by the potential supervisor.)

For non-HKPFS PhD applicants: Applications are accepted throughout the year.

HKPFS Application Deadline (for PhD programmes only)

1. To submit an initial application to RGC: By 12 noon, 1 December 2020 (Hong Kong time); and
2. To submit full application to CUHK: By 5pm, 1 December 2020 (Hong Kong time).

Please refer to HKPFS page for more details.

Application Procedures

To be considered in the main round of admission in August, applications must be submitted on or before 1st of December in the previous year. However, interested applicants should consider early submission of their applications. Early applications, particularly before mid of November, are likely to be under our first-tier consideration.

The schedule may be different from year to year. Mostly, the interview will be arranged from December. Only selected candidates will be invited to attend the interview.

**To be considered for interview in early December, the deadline for applications to reach CUHK is 9 November 2020.

**To be considered for HKPFS or main round admission, all required documents should reach our Division by 1 December 2020.

Application to our PhD programme is all year around.

In general, PhD students can be admitted on the 1st day of each month, depending on the availability of positions and research funding of the potential supervisor.

Applicants may contact the professors that fall into your research interest first before you submit the application. The email addresses of our professors could be obtained from our department website (http://www.ee.cuhk.edu.hk/)

Online application is available at https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/how-to-apply.

In addition to the application materials generally required by the Graduate School (https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/documents-required), applicants must also submit the followings:

Mandatory materials:

1. Complete online application
2. Application fee
3. One photocopy of your HKID card or other identity document as given in the Application Form
4. Original official transcripts of all tertiary level studies (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results)
5. Original certification letter of GPA or average score and explanation notes of the grading schemes (成績等級與績點換算關係表) issued by the University (if not attached to the official transcript)
6. Original official ranking certificate issued by the University (if available)
7. Copies of Degree Certificate (學士學位証書) (for degree holder only)
8. Copies of Academic Credential (畢業証書) (for holders of academic qualifications from Mainland China)
9. Copies of certificates of academic/professional qualifications (if available), may include university certificates of graduation, examination certificates and proof of other qualifications.
10. Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) issued by the CHESICC (學信網) (for applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China)
11. Assessment report from the HKCAAVQ (if necessary)
12. Original valid official score report of TOEFL (University’s institution code: 0812)/IELTS (Academic)/GMAT (Verbal) sent directly from the test organization to the University (HKPFS only accepts score report of TOEFL or IELTS (Academic))
13. Invite TWO referees to complete the Confidential Recommendations Report
14. Brief Curriculum Vitae
15. Research / purpose statement (about 600 - 800 words in English, compulsory for PhD application)
16. An information sheet to be filled in. It is a standard format specified by our department which essentially summarizes the personal information and academic qualification. It can be downloaded from here (doc format).

Optional materials:

1. Recommendation by the past / current affiliated institution(s)
2. Personal statement
3. Copies or abstracts of published papers or research project reports
4. Copies of certificates of awards or prizes

Remarks

CUHK qualifications (Bachelor’s or higher degrees):

• Photocopies of transcripts issued by CUHK are accepted (not applicable to CUHK (Shenzhen) qualifications). However, the University reserves the right to require applicants to submit original transcripts.
• Applicants should first download the Transcript Submission Covering Sheet and attach it to the transcript copy. Please send the transcript copy to the relevant Graduate Division directly.

Other qualifications:

• Photocopies will NOT be accepted. Applicants should download the Transcript Submission Covering Sheet and send it to the issuing universities to apply for official transcripts. Official transcripts should be sent directly to relevant Graduate Division in a sealed envelope from the issuing university.
• Certificates and transcripts, which are not in English or Chinese, should be accompanied by an official certified translation in English.
• Some universities may only issue electronic official transcripts to other institutions. In that event, official electronic transcripts should be sent to relevant Graduate Division directly from the issuing university.
• Applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China are required to provide an Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) issued by the CHESICC (學信網) together with other supporting documents. Please refer to the information on the official website of the CHESICC at https://www.chsi.com.cn/xlcx/en/brief.jsp (English) and https://www.chsi.com.cn/xlcx/bgys.jsp (Chinese). Certificates and transcripts, which are not in English or Chinese, should be accompanied by an official certified translation in English.
• Applicants with degrees awarded by overseas universities by distance learning or by completing a curriculum of short duration may be required to provide assessment report from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) on the level of qualification obtained. Applicants will be notified by the Graduate Division concerned separately.
• The certified true copy must be issued by the official organization or relevant test organization. The University may require applicants to provide the original documents for verification.
• The University may require applicants to provide verification reports of the qualification obtained (e.g., verification report issued by the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center). Applicants will be notified by the Graduate Division concerned/Graduate School separately.

Proof of English Language proficiency

• A copy of graduation certificate issued by a university in Hong Kong; or
• A certifying letter issued by the Registry of the university confirming the medium of instruction of your degree programme was English; or
• TOEFL and IELTS are considered valid for two years from the test date. GMAT is considered valid for five years from the test date. (The official score report should be sent directly from the test organization to the University)
• Applicants for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) are required to submit score reports of TOEFL / IELTS (Academic). GMAT result is not accepted.

Applicants are required to send in the hardcopy of supporting documents to the Division by the application deadline. Otherwise, the applications may not be further processed.

The University may require applicants to submit additional information or documentary proof if deemed necessary. All documents submitted will not be returned and will be destroyed if the application is unsuccessful.

Postal Address for Submitting application materials:
Division of Electronic Engineering (MPhil-PhD in Electronic Engineering)
Room 404, Ho Sin Hang Engineering Building,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR,
P.R. China

** Please always quote the Application No. in the future correspondences.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ, or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Application Result

We will try to let you know the result as soon as possible. Normally it will be within 3 to 4 weeks after the interview. However, in some cases, the decision may be made at a fairly late stage, for example, in April or May. Please note that an official admission offer must be issued only by the department or the graduate school.

1. For applicants who apply for PhD programmes through HKPFS, Research Grants Council will announce results by late March.
2. For applicants who apply for MPhil/PhD or taught postgraduate programmes directly with the University (i.e. non-HKPFS applicants), you may login the Application for Admission to Postgraduate Programmes and check your application results in the section of "View Application Result". (link: https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/OnlineApp/login.aspx)
3. Applicants who do not receive notification by early September can assume their applications have been unsuccessful. No written notification will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

Enquires: